But they have decided to abandon their familiar approach to chasing targets to avoid being embarrassed by a failed public pursuit.

The Spanish giants are renowned for using aggressive and unsettling methods to get their man.

They used public campaigns with figures with Madrid connections talking up their targets, to make their interest known in the likes of Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in the past.

But they realise the odds are hugely stacked against them when it comes to Pochettino with the Argentinian having committed to Spurs by signing a new five-year contract worth £42.5m just last month and chairman Daniel Levy such a tough negotiator.

Pochettino is still wanted by Real Madrid (Image: PA)

So they have stepped back from Pochettino, publicly at least, in a move they hope will avoid angering Levy, further dirty tricks accusations and having to eat humble pie should they ultimately accept defeat.

They will instead continue to keep tabs on Pochettino from a distance and are considering their other options to replace Zinedine Zidane who quit last week.

Juventus boss Max Allegri, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, former Bernabeu midfielder Guti, and Arsene Wenger are among the other names who have been linked with the Madrid job.

Allegri remains one of the names on the wish list

Wenger has also been linked with the post (Image: Arsenal FC/Getty)

Wenger is weighing up his next move after the curtain came down on his 22 year Arsenal reign at the end of the season.

Wenger said: “Do I still have the desire to be a coach? Yes. Do I have the desire to throw myself into another crazy challenge? I don’t know. It’s a job that requires total commitment.

“I must give myself a little distance, which is something I’ve never done. I’ll have to see how much I miss it.”